Wyoming's snow plowing budget dwindles

Cheyenne, WY (KGWN) - The Wyoming Department of Transportation says the state's snow plowing budget is dwindling, and the department may have to dip into a construction budget to keep roads clear during the wettest season of the year.

The Casper Star-Tribune reports as of Feb. 28, WYDOT had spent $21.9 million of its $22.6 million snow control budget. March costs are not in yet, but department officials expect them to exceed the budget's remaining $674,000.

WYDOT Chief Engineer Del McOmie says "historically, March and April are our heaviest snow months, but even if there is no more snow this spring, just reopening the mountain passes (that were closed during the winter) will put us significantly over the budgeted amount."

If the budget overrun approaches the millions, the shortfall would have to be made up from the state construction budget.

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